Hormuz fees and Lebanon hurdles test US-Iran deal, experts debate

The first round of high-level US-Iran talks in Switzerland has laid the groundwork for a possible final agreement, including provisions for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a de-confliction mechanism for Lebanon. But with key confidence-building measures yet to be fully implemented and Israeli forces still present in parts of southern Lebanon, analysts say the situation remains fragile. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Mostafa Khoshcheshm, a professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Tehran, said Iran would begin charging service fees for transit through the Strait of Hormuz after a 60-day exemption period, arguing the move is part of a broader effort to establish new regional protocols and strengthen Iran's role in managing the waterway. He said several confidence-building measures expected from the United States, including Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, have yet to be fulfilled. Khoshcheshm also said no decision has been made on reports of $300bn in investment into Iran, describing the figure as potential investment rather than war reparations. On Lebanon, he argued that dismantling Hezbollah is unrealistic and maintained that lasting peace will require a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Cyrus Schayegh, professor of international history and politics at the Geneva Graduate Institute, said Tehran's interest in the Strait of Hormuz is driven more by political influence than financial gain, allowing it to expand its role in Gulf security arrangements. On Lebanon, he said Israel is increasingly recognising that prolonged conflict is unsustainable and may eventually have to withdraw more fully from the country. Schayegh added that a future arrangement could see Hezbollah remain present alongside the Lebanese Army, noting that relative calm prevailed along the border for years before the latest conflict. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #Iran #UnitedStates #USIranDeal #USIranAgreement #USIranMoU #StraitOfHormuz #IranNuclearProgram #HormuzShipping #IranFrozenFund #IranFrozenAssets #Lebanon #IsraelLebanonWar #LebanonWar #LebanonDeconfliction #IranSanctions #AlJazeeraEnglish